Wearable Collector for Noninvasive Sampling of Exhaled Breath Biomarkers, Pathogens or Viral Loads

Abstract

Airborne transmission of exhaled virus can rapidly spread by increasing disease progression from local incidents to pandemics. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, states and local governments have enforced the use of protective masks in common and work areas to minimize disease spread. Here, the function of protective face coverings is leveraged towards COVID-19 diagnosis. A user-friendly, affordable, and wearable adhesive collector was developed. This non-invasive platform is integrated into protective masks towards collecting airborne virus exhaled from individuals' breath over the wearing period. After sampling or collecting, the enriched pathogen can be extracted from the collector for further analytical evaluation. To validate this design, qualitative colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and antibody-based dot blot assays were performed to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2. This platform enables easy sampling of current SARS-CoV-2 and other airborne diseases of future pandemics.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wearable collector device, comprising:
 (a) a single piece flexible substrate, wherein the substrate distinguishes a mask attachment section and a collector attachment section situated below of the mask attachment section, wherein the collector attachment section has an open area more or less centered over the collector attachment section;   (b) a double-sided adhesive sized to fit a side of the mask attachment section, wherein one side of the adhesive is suited to adhere to the side of the mask attachment section, and wherein the other side of the adhesive is suited to adhere to an inner surface of a mask; and   (c) a porous membrane, wherein the membrane is sized to cover at least the open area of the collector attachment section, and wherein the membrane is sized to be removably attached to the collector attachment section either the same side of the mask attachment area or the other side of the mask attachment area, wherein the membrane has pores size in the range of 50 nm-5 μm and capable of collecting biomarkers, pathogens, or viral loads through exposure from breath-derived droplets, and wherein the membrane is capable freely moving with respect to the inner surface of the mask while the mask is worn by a person.   
     
     
         2 . The wearable collector device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is made of paper, plastic, or composite material. 
     
     
         3 . The wearable collector device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the open area is more or less centered with respect to the collector attachment section. 
     
     
         4 . The wearable collector device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the collector attachment section has a rectangular shape or an angled shape. 
     
     
         5 . The wearable collector device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the mask has pleats and wherein the other side of the adhesive is suited to adhere to a single pleat. 
     
     
         6 . The wearable collector device as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprises sensors to detect collected levels of the biomarkers, pathogens, or viral loads. 
     
     
         7 . The wearable collector device as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprises visual indicators to visualize detection of collected levels of the biomarkers, pathogens, or viral loads. 
     
     
         8 . The wearable collector device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the membrane is made out of polycarbonate, nitrocellulose or aluminum oxide. 
     
     
         9 . A method of collecting biomarkers, pathogens, or viral loads through exposure from breath-derived droplets, comprising:
 (a) adhering a wearable collector device to an inner surface of a face mask, wherein the wearable collector device comprises:
 (i) a single piece flexible substrate, wherein the substrate distinguishes a mask attachment section and a collector attachment section situated below the mask attachment section, wherein the collector attachment section has an open area more or less centered over the collector attachment section; 
 (ii) a double-sided adhesive sized to fit a side of the mask attachment section, wherein one side of the adhesive is suited to adhere to the side of the mask attachment section, and wherein the other side of the adhesive is suited to adhere to the inner surface of the face mask; and 
 (iii) a porous membrane, wherein the membrane is sized to cover at least the open area of the collector attachment section, and wherein the membrane is sized to be removably attached to the collector attachment section either the same side of the mask attachment area or the other side of the mask attachment area, wherein the membrane has pores size in the range of 50 nm-5 μm and capable of collecting the biomarkers, pathogens, or viral loads through exposure from breath-derived droplets, and wherein the membrane is capable freely moving with respect to the inner surface of the mask while the mask is worn by a person; and 
   (b) removing the membrane from the wearable collector device for analysis of collected biomarkers, pathogens, or viral loads.   
     
     
         10 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is made of paper, plastic, or composite material. 
     
     
         11 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the open area is more or less centered with respect to the collector attachment section. 
     
     
         12 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the collector attachment section has a rectangular shape or an angled shape. 
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the mask has pleats and wherein the other side of the adhesive is suited to adhere to a single pleat. 
     
     
         14 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprises sensors to detect collected levels of biomarkers, pathogens, or viral loads. 
     
     
         15 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprises sensing collected levels of biomarkers, pathogens, or viral loads. 
     
     
         16 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprises visual indicators to visualize detection of collected levels of the biomarkers, pathogens, or viral loads. 
     
     
         17 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprises visualizing collected levels of the biomarkers, pathogens, or viral loads. 
     
     
         18 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the membrane is made out of polycarbonate, nitrocellulose or aluminum oxide. 
     
     
         19 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is made from die-cutting, molding, hot embossing, or laser-cutting.